Combined buffer and fender.



G. HIPWOOD.

COMBINED BUFFER AND FENDER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 7, 1909.

Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

2 BHEETB-SHEET 1.

INVENTOI? s E S S M H W A TTORNE Y8 G. HIPWOOD.

COMBINED BUFFER AND FENDER.

APPLICATION FILED 001 .7, 1909.

Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

20 05w, h INVENTOH By ATTORNEYS W/ TNE SSE S PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE HIPWOOD, NEW YORK, N. Y.

COMBINED BUFFER AND FENDER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnoaen Hlrwoon, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of the city of New York, borough of. Manhattan, in the countyand State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Combined Butterand Fender, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

The invention relates to a combined buffer and fender to be used on anyvehicle propelled by motive ower. i

An object of this invention is to provide a device which will give asoft, yielding resistance to a person or object struck, and tend toshunt the obstacle off to one side beyond the reach of the vehiclewheels.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby, in case adirect collision with an obstacle occurs, the device will automaticallytransform itself from a buffer into a fender or cradle, which will scoopup the obstacle immediately, or in case of a throw, as soon as themachine overtakes the obstacle.

A further object of this invention resides in the manner that thestructure is attached to a vehicle and combined or disposed withrelation to the parts of the vehicle.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a device whichwill be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, strong anddurable, and also quick and yieldingly positive in its action.

These and further objects, together with the construction andcombination of parts will be more fully described hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of ref eren'ce indicatecorresponding parts in all the views, and in which- Figure 1 is a planView showing my device attached to a motor vehicle; Fig. 2 is a sideview in elevation showing the device in the form of a buffer; Fig. 3 isa side view in elevation showing the device with the lower arms extendedand dropped to form a cradle of the buffer springs, and also showing indotted lines the adjusted position of the support and the position whichthe springs would occupy when engaged by an obstacle; Fig. 4: is anenlared vertical section showing. thedetails o com' ection of the armswith the support; rig. 5, is an enlarged per spective View showing themanner in which Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 7, 1909.

Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

Serial No. 521,442.

the spiral springs are wound and their con nection with the main rod andconnecting rod; Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation,showing in section the manner of locking the extension and the lowerarm; and Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view in elevation showing themanner of connecting the spiral springs to thetransverse rod.

These drawings illustrate one form of structure embodying my invention,While it will be understood that various changes in detail ofconstruction and modification are within the scope of my invention.

The particular form shown I will now describe.

Referring more particularly to the sepa rate parts of the device, 1indicates the vehicle to which my device is attached. This vehicle ispreferably provided with brackets 2 on each side thereof, which aresecured thereto in any' well-known manner. The brackets 2 arefork-shaped at their front ends to provide a groove in which a support 3is adapted to be secured. The support 3 may be adjustably secured to thebracket 2 through a number of perforations in the sup port. Aside fromthis longitudinal adjustment there is also provided a pivotaladjustment. This is allowed for by means of a slot 5 which is providedin the rear end of the support?) and is adapted to be engaged by any ofthe bolts 4 to secure it to the bracket in any adjusted angularrelation.

Suitably connected to the outer end of each of the supports 3 there areprovided upper arms 6 which have a limited pivotal motion relative tothe support 3, the u per limit of this motion being the back 7 o thebifurcation in the support 3 between the forks of which the arm 6 ispivoted. The lower limit of the pivotal motion of the arm 6 consists ofa stud 8 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, which is adapted to engage thelower edge of the arm 6. Slidingly pivoted to the pivot of each of thearms 6 by means of a slot 9 formed therein, there are provided arms 10.In order to lock. the arms 10 in their upper most position, they areeach provided with a key-shaped lock 11 which isadapted to engage withits angular portion, an angular slot 12 in the outer forkof thebifurcated end of the support 3. The slot 12 extends i'earwardly into alarge cavity so that when the arm 10 is pushed rearivardly, "the lock 11will have room to revolve on the support by means of suitable bolts 4which pass 3. In order to hold the arm in its forward position and thushold the lock 11 in engagement with the slot 12 there is provided aspring 13 which is secured in any well-known manner to the support 3 andengages the back end of the arm 10. In order to throw the arm 10downwardly when the lock 11 has been withdrawn from the slot 12 there isprovided a spring 14 which is secured at one end in any well-knownmanner to the support 3 and coiled about the the arms 6 and 10, and thenengages the upper side of the arm 10.

Each of the lower arms 10 is extensible and consists of a hollow,tubular upper portion into which telescopes a lower member 15. The lowermember 15 is locked into its uppermost positionby means of a latch 16which is pivotally secured in any well-known manner to the arm 10 andpivot-ally connected to the support 3 by means of a rod 17. Theconnection of the latch 16 to the support 3 is of such a nature thatwhen the arm 10 is forced inwardly as-by contact with an obstacle, sothat the lock 11 disengages from the groove 12, the latch 16 will beautomatically removed from engagement with the ex- .tension member 15,thereby permitting it to fall into its extended position. The extensionof the arm 10 is aided by means of a coil spring 18 which is compressedback of the end OI the extension member 15 and is adapted to shoot theextension member 15 downwardly and outwardly as soon as the latch 16 isreleased.

The upper arms 6 are connected together by means of a transverse member19 which may be of any suitable form and material, such as an iron rodor tube, which is curved rearwardly and bent to form guards for thewheels of the vehicle. The extension members 15 of the arms 10 are alsoconnected together by a similar transverse member 20 which is alsoprovided with suitable rollers 21 for the purpose of atlording a rollingsupport when the extension members 15 occupy their lower position. Themembers 19 and 20 are connected together by means of a plurality ofspiral springs 22 which are pivotally secured at each end to the members19 and 20. In order to space the springs one. from the other, the wirewhich is used in forming them is extended and coiled around the members19 and 20 for several turns, so that the end of the wire abuts againstthe adjacent spring. The springs 22 are coiled in apeculiar manner, thatis they are first coiled right-handed and'then lefthanded, and thenagain right-handed, and at the junction between the rightand lefthandedcoils there are formed loops and 24' which form. suitable means of"securing,

the connecting rods or wires 25"and 26 which extend back of all thesprings. By

pivot point ofbers are provided with buttons 27 and 28 which may be ofany suitable form and are securedv to the members in any suitablemanner.

In order that the arms 10 may act. together and both unlock and swingdown simultaneously they are connected together by means of a bar 30which is secured to them in any well-known manner.

When the members 19 and 20 are locked in their normal position asindicated in Fig. 2, the spiral springs form a buffer which bellies outin front of these members to form a resilient yet positive cushion.\Vhen the butter formed by the spiral springs comes in contact with anobstacle, the springs will not only yield backwardly but will squirm andpivot around the rods 19 and 20 forming a positive yet yieldingresistance to the obstacle struck. Further, if the obstacle comes incontact with one or more of the spiral springs 22, all these springs, byreason of the connecting wires 25 and 26, will necessarily move insympatlrv to a greater or less extent. Moreover, sutticient force willbe transmitted from the springs to the extensions 15 on the lower arms10 to force the locks 11 out of engagement with the slots 12, thussimultaneously releasing the latch 16 so that the extension members 15will spring out simultaneously with the snapdown action of the arms 10.When this has occurred, the spiral springs 22 will fornra yieldingpick-up cradle or fender which Wlll immediately scoop up the obstacleand prevent it from falling under the wheels of the vehicle. If,however, the obstacle is hit a glancing blow, the curved nature of themembers 19' and 20 are also of the buffer springs will shunt theobstacle ofi' to one side, out of the path of the vehicle.

It will be noted that in the construction shown, the length of the arms6 and 10 permit the attachment of the bracket 2 and the support 3against the side of the frame of the automobile, in a place where in thepresent construction of automobiles there is invariably suitable spacefor the attachment of such parts. In addition the place at which it isattached is a most substantial portion of the vehicle proper, therebyaffording a better support than is the case with previous suggestions inconnection with the applications of other forms of buffers. Besidesthese advantages the arrangement also permits thelower arm to dropwithout interference with other parts of the vehicle. Furthermore, beinginside of the wheel these arms are protected from injury by the lateralimpact of any object. At the sametime the relation of frame, wheels andarms results in supporting the buffer and fender sufiiciently near thecenter to give rigidity,

and at the same time properlv support the laterally extendingand-rearwardly curved ends. This arrangement as awhole locates all theparts in relation to the vehicle in such a way as to reduce to theminimum any projection or protrusion beyond the ordinary limits of anautomobile, leaving solely the contacting buffer portion in advance ofthe other parts of the vehicle.

While I have shown and described a form of structure embodying myinvention, I may emphasize the details or arrangement in various wayswithout departing from my in vention, and therefore do not intend to belimited to this particular structure, but

That which I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A buit'er, comprising members extending directly transverselyintermediate their ends and curved rearwardly at their ends, separatelymovable spiral springs, having vertically arranged axes, connecting saidmembers, and wires intermediate said members and connecting saidsprings.

2. A buffer, comprising transverse members, spiral springs connectingsaid members, and contimuitions of said springs forming spacing membersbetween said springs.

3. A buffer, comprising transverse members, and a plurality of spiralsprings pivotally secured to said members in spaced relation.

at. A buffer, comprising transverse members, and a plurality of spiralsprings pivotally secured to said members at their ends and bellyingoutwardly from said members.

5. A buffer, comprising transverse members, a plurality of spiralsprings pivotally secured to said members at their endsand bellyingoutwardly from said members, and means for connecting said springsintermediate their ends.

6. A buffer, comprising transverse members, a plurality ofspiral springspivotally connected to said members, said'springs bein spirally wound inboth right-handed and le t-handed directions, and connecting wiresjoining said springs at the junction of the right and left-hand winds.

7. A buiIer, comprising transverse members, a plurality of spiralsprings secured to said members, loops .in said springs intermediatetheir ends, and means for joining said loops together.

8. A buffer, comprising transverse members, a plurality of spiralsprings connected to said members, each ofsaid spiral springs beingwound in both right and letthanded directions and having a loop formedat the junction of the right and left-hand winds, and means forconnecting said loops together.

9. A buffer, comprising transverse members, a plurality of spiralsprings pivotally connected to said members at their ends and bellyingoutwardly from said members and also having their ends wound around saidrods to form spacing members, each of said springs having a plurality ofwinds in right and left-hand directions, and having loops formed thereinat the unction of said winds, and wires inserted in said loopsconnecting said springs together.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with a support,of a buffer, and means operated by contact with an obstacle forextending the lower end of said buffer forwardly to auton'iaticallytransform said buffer into a pick-up cradle.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination with a support,of a plurality of arms connected to said support, a resilient memberconnected to said arms and bellying out to form a bufler, and. meansoperated by contact with anobstacle for automatically extending some ofsaid arms to form said resilient member into a pick-up cradle.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination with a support,of a plurality of arms connected to said support, a resilient memberconnected to said arms and bellying out to form a buffer, and meansoperated by contact with an obstacle for automatically dropping some ofsaid arms to form said resilient member into a picleup cradle.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination with a support,of a plurality of arms connected to said supportya resilient memberconnected to said arms and bellying out to form a buffer, and meansoperated by contact with an-obstacle for automatically dropping andextending some of said arms to form said resilient member into a pick-upcradle.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination with a support,of a plurality of arms connected to said support, transverse membersconnccted to said arms, a re silient member connected to said arms andbellying out to form a buffer, and means operated by contact with anobstacle, adapted to automatically transform said resilient member intoa pick up cradle.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination with a support,of a plurality of 'arms connected to said support, transverse membersconnecting said arms, spiral springs pivotally connected to said armsand bellying out to form a buffer, and means operated by the contact ofsaid spiral springs with an obstacle, adapted to automatically transformsaid spiral springs into a pick-up cradle.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination with a support,of a plurality ofarms connected to said support, transverse membersconnecting said arms, some of said arms being extensible, a plurality ofspiral springs pivotally connected to said.

transverse members and bellying therefrom, means for locking saidextensible arms, and means operated by contact with an obstacle forunlocking said fast-mentioned means.

17 In a device of the class described, the combination with a support,of a plurality of arms connected to said support, trans-- verse membersconnecting said arms in pairs, a plurality of spiral springs pivotallyconnected to said members, and a lock for holding a pair of said arms soas to retain said springs bellyingfrom said transverse members, saidlock being adapted to release said arms automatically when said springsencounter an obstacle, to form said springs into a pick-up cradle.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination with a vehicle,of a support adjustably connected to said vehicle, arms connected tosaid support, transverse members connecting said arms in pairs, andspiral springs 'pivotally connected to said members 'and bellyingtherefrom.

19. In a device of the class described. the comblnation with a support,of a pair of arms pivoted to said support, a pair of arms slidablypivoted to said support, means for locking said last-mentioned armsagainst pivotal motion, means for yieldingly hold- 1ng saidlast-mentioned arms in locking engagement, transverse members connectingsaid pairs of arms, and. spiral springs connected to said members.

20. In a device of the class described, the combination with a support,of a bellying bufl'er curved at its ends and composed of spirally Woundsprings having their axes extending in vertical planes and connected tosaid support.

21. In a device of the class described, the combination with anadjustable support, of a bellying bufier curved at its ends and composedof spirallywound springs connected to said supports.

22. In a device of the class described, the combination with a'support,of a bellying buifer curved at its ends and composed of spirally woundsprings connected to said supports, and means for automaticallytransforming said butter into a resilient pick-up cradle.

'23. In a device of the class described, the combination with a support,of a plurality of arms connected to said support, transverse membersconnecting said arms, some of said arms being extensible, a plurality ofspiral springs pivotally connected to said transverse members andbellying therefrom,

- spring means for lengthening said extensible arms, and a lock securingsaid arms in a telescopcd condition;

24. In a device of the class described, the combination with a support.of a pluralit v of arms connected to said support. transverse membersconnecting said arms. some of said arms having extension members. aplurality of spiral springs pivotally connected to said transversemembers and bellying therefrom. means for locking said extension membersin said arms, spring means for extending said extension members. andmeans operated by the longitudinal movement of said arms. adapted torelease said extension members.

25. In combination with a wheeled vehicle, a body frame between theforward wheels, bufler arms projecting longitudinally of the vehiclebetween the frame and the wheels, supports for said bufier arms on theframe laterally opposite said wheels, :1 buffer. a transverse top memberof said bufier attached to said arms. a transverse lower buffer memberattached to a second set of arms and means for dropping said second setof arms pivotally about their support.

26. In combination with an automobile. of sills for said automobile.brackets attached to said sills. supports pivotally adjustable on saidsills, arms pivotally connected to said supports. and a buffer connectedto said arms.

27. In combination with an automobile. of sills for said automobile.brackets attached to said sills. supports pivotally and longitudinallyadjustable on said sills. arms connected, to said supports, and a bufferconnected to said arms.

28. In combination with a vehicle, of a buffer bellying therefrom. andmeans for transforming said buffer into a cradle by diminishing thebelly of said butter.

29. In combination with a vehicle. of a buffer for said vehicle having areversible belly.

30. In a device of the class described. the combination with a support,of a butter. and means operated by contact with an obstacle. adapted toautomaticall; transform Sflltl buffer into a pick-up cradle.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification inthepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE HIPWOOD.

Witnesses:

HORATIO VVHITING, PHILIP.D. ROLLHAUS.

